Illinois...

[jdragonwings]

Quail are actually much easier than chickens, but they lack the personality. I only had one female and all summer she gave me 7 eggs /week. Never missed a day. I also "had" a male, so I hatched out some of her eggs. Then after processing the male, I went and hatched a few more - just in case I ended up with an overload of males. Those 1st chicks are pretty much adults.

So now I'm stuck with 5 females and 3 males - more than I want for the winter. Plus another 1/2 doz week-old quail chicks

That is sooo tempting but my husband would kill me... I can't do it right now, buuut I want to...

 

[cavemanrich]

He claims he wants a bird that can fly.

Show son these pix,,, I have more pix if needed.

 

[cavemanrich]

Quail are actually much easier than chickens, but they lack the personality.

Lack the ability to return to coop if free-ranging.
If they were capable of free-ranging, and not escape, I would already have some.
Did look into it a few years ago, and considered clipping wing feathers, and keep inside run area. I just did not see the joy of ownership as pets that way.

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

Show son these pix,,, I have more pix if needed.View attachment 2788082

I went to buy a plucker last weekend down in Clinton IL. The guy was also breeding racing pigeons. He said he could get up to $1000 each. But I suspect that is a very tough market to enter. And so far he hasn't sold any. But the birds were beautiful specimens.
He also had goats he was milking but like most things we do he said hes lucky to break even with milk and cheese. They were cute though.

 

[Faraday40]

Lack the ability to return to coop if free-ranging.
If they were capable of free-ranging, and not escape, I would already have some.
Did look into it a few years ago, and considered clipping wing feathers, and keep inside run area. I just did not see the joy of ownership as pets that way.

True. Quail don’t seem to know where home is. They just wander around in the grass if you let them go. They don’t really run away (at least not hard to catch) but they certainly don’t run to us. All they would do is wander off to someone else’s place if you tried to free range. We had exceptions with 2 different males that were pet-like. Most seem to tolerate handling but not “friendly” like our chickens.

Today a 6-7 week quail made a crow for the 1st time. Perhaps some extra eggs will appear before the end of this laying season.

 

[Faraday40]

Show son these pix,,, I have more pix if needed.View attachment 2788082

Were these your pigeons?

 

[cavemanrich]

Were these your pigeons?

Yes,, but I don't have any currently. I just kept all white pigeons. Was up to 15 at one time. (adults + young)
Grand kids used to refer to them as Grandpas Eagles. They looked magnificent when I let them loft fly.,,, I also took them a distance and did what is called a toss. They returned home before I drove home. They beat me,,,,,,,, but I was limited to city speed limit, and traffic lites.
The loft is in the upper section back of my garage. That is where I winter over my chicken flock.
If you should decide to try pigeons, I can provide all the pigeon advice needed. There are show/fancy breeds that are mostly for backyard fun and pet keeping.
I still hang out and post in the Pigeon and Doves Forum.

White Fantail Pigeons. Some racing enthusiasts keep a few of these as droppers. Term used to encourage your flying squad to return to loft.

 

[SnootyHen]

Why can't they be content??? Sometimes I think they are meant to drive us crazy

I'd complain that mine also want goats and a cow but they come by it honestly so I can't exactly fault them for it. LOL!!!

 

[Meidvsalith]

So, I am in the process of starting my 4-H Club in my city. I went to drop off the paper work, and the 4-H faculty mentioned the possiblity of me becoming the Poultry Superintendent. I don’t know that have the experience for such a title. Plus, I work full time. Does anyone have any insight on what duties I’d need to perform? The second to last Superintendent is filling in for this year only, the last one resigned. So, I’m just a tad worried I’d be biting off more than I can chew.

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

Lost one of my Light Brahmas. Possible heat? Went out and she was just laying over.